Chamber column: Countywide recovery continues

By CHUCK EDWARDS

Published: Sunday, December 29, 2013 at 4:30 a.m.

Last Modified: Friday, December 27, 2013 at 6:53 p.m.

This year's end marks some prominent change to commerce in our local economy relative to those of recent history. Countywide sales tax collection appears to have increased 7 percent over the prior year's level. This represents nearly $1.2 million of improved sales tax collections and a reported revenue increase of over $54 million. We project our city will report similar progress with 6.5 percent growth in sales tax collections and revenue.

Real estate sales for our area, which are a key driver of the need for local goods, services, and jobs, are reported to have increased 19 percent over our prior year. Our workforce is returning to work as we are seeing a reduction in our local unemployment rate, and several employers are in a constant search for skilled labor to fill jobs that offer higher wages.

While a plethora of people, organizations, and factors have influenced the positive momentum that we currently enjoy, please know that your Chamber of Commerce has been at the forefront of advocacy for business growth and development, and improvement for the quality of life for our citizens. The chamber's board of directors, staff, and its many supporters, contributors and members have remained focused and committed to specific activity to help us prosper in both the short- and long-term.

Many activities, including our very successful Shop & Dine Henderson County campaign helped educate and remind our citizens of the positive impact for our local economy when we keep our spending local. It is impossible to measure the pure effect of these activities, but the increased local spending I mentioned earlier can certainly be considered a key indicator.

While the contributions to your chamber's success this year are far too numerous to mention here, I'd like to recognize some of its key activities and those who have championed its efforts. These remarkable individuals deserve to be recognized for the contribution of their energy and talent, and you will be interested to know who it is that really gets our work accomplished. Most people will find it interesting to learn just how active this remarkable organization is.

Nicola Barksdale with First Citizens Bank has led our small business committee to offer seminars, events, and recognition to help small businesses stay affluent with the knowledge and resources needed to remain competitive, and improve their bottom lines.

Laura Misner with the College Foundation of North Carolina and Graham Fields with Park Ridge Health have led our many workforce development efforts by working hand-in-hand with local educators and businesses to help prepare our future work force.

Paul Morse with GE has remained a staunch friend to our chamber and served as the liaison of our industrial division to help us understand and meet the needs of our local industrial and manufacturing businesses.

Bill Fishburne of the Hendersonville Board of Realtors has worked with us closely and kept us informed on the progress and factors influencing our critical real estate market.

Don Holder with Four Seasons Financial Services serves as our liaison to the Hendersonville Merchants and Business Association. Don also continues to diligently coordinate one of our signature events to bring us together with local leadership and keep us informed on local issues and successes through Business Morning Update.

Paul Parker with Carolina Information Technology Resource Corporation has been unselfish with his time and talents to insure smooth coordination of our meaningful signature networking event Business After Hours. While the name of the event should suffice to explain its purpose, I'll add that it serves to be paramount to bring together numerous businesses, leaders, and organizations. It is always viewed with high anticipation and a time when productive discussions take place.

Jim Rasmussen of Morrow Insurance Agency has led the formation of our community development task force through which they are helping create our local "brand" and market "Why Henderson County?" to potential businesses and residents.

Steve Dozier of Beverly-Hanks & Associates and Jim Ayers of NewPointe Builders have worked to improve the relationships between local businesses and government leaders to collaboratively design policy to best meet the needs of our community.

Dr. Molly Parkhill, while serving as chair elect, has eloquently begun to lead us towards the development of a long-range strategy to meet the future needs of our business community. This began by conducting focus groups with all of the various types of chamber members. The collected data was then shared with the board at a recent meeting where the formation of specific actions has begun in order to align with the long-range vision.

All of this work could not be accomplished without strong membership and economic resources. Among the many individuals to help ensure what I have long considered the "economic engine" of the chamber are Tiffany Ervin of Elite Repeats Boutique and Garry Sherrill with Cummings Cove Golf and Country Club who again successfully led our Total Resource Campaign to secure sponsorships from generous donors for numerous annual activities.

Vince Rees of Mountain 1st Bank & Trust and Michael Thompson of The Van Winkle Law Firm led us to a successful finale of our two-year effort to fund the debt of the modern iconic chamber office now located at the visible corner of Church Street and Kanuga Road. Vince, Michael, and many concerned contributors worked diligently to create and fund an office of which our community can be proud.

Dave Modaff of Friday Staffing has led our efforts to merchandise the many benefits of being a chamber member in order to attract and maintain a strong level of membership. Staying on track financially has come through the tireless efforts of our Treasurer Fair Waggoner of United Community Bank. Fair has shared her energy and knowledge for two consecutive years. Her positive and energetic spirit has led us through some challenging times, as well as significant accounting, procedural, and systems changes.

Lastly, anchoring every spindle of this hub of activity has been our President Bob Williford and Mitsy Jones, our communications coordinator. If you could only witness first-hand as I have the pleasure, the incredible volume of work they perform for the betterment of and service to our community you too would be awestruck. We are so fortunate to have their support and they have made for me so simple, the otherwise complex job of chairman of the Henderson County Chamber of Commerce.

It is has been my pleasure to serve alongside these remarkable people, and the many others I have failed to mention specifically. As the beneficiary of their efforts and resources, our community continues to become stronger, and an even better place to live. Thank you all.

<p>This year's end marks some prominent change to commerce in our local economy relative to those of recent history. Countywide sales tax collection appears to have increased 7 percent over the prior year's level. This represents nearly $1.2 million of improved sales tax collections and a reported revenue increase of over $54 million. We project our city will report similar progress with 6.5 percent growth in sales tax collections and revenue. </p><p>Real estate sales for our area, which are a key driver of the need for local goods, services, and jobs, are reported to have increased 19 percent over our prior year. Our workforce is returning to work as we are seeing a reduction in our local unemployment rate, and several employers are in a constant search for skilled labor to fill jobs that offer higher wages.</p><p>While a plethora of people, organizations, and factors have influenced the positive momentum that we currently enjoy, please know that your Chamber of Commerce has been at the forefront of advocacy for business growth and development, and improvement for the quality of life for our citizens. The chamber's board of directors, staff, and its many supporters, contributors and members have remained focused and committed to specific activity to help us prosper in both the short- and long-term.</p><p>Many activities, including our very successful Shop & Dine Henderson County campaign helped educate and remind our citizens of the positive impact for our local economy when we keep our spending local. It is impossible to measure the pure effect of these activities, but the increased local spending I mentioned earlier can certainly be considered a key indicator.</p><p>While the contributions to your chamber's success this year are far too numerous to mention here, I'd like to recognize some of its key activities and those who have championed its efforts. These remarkable individuals deserve to be recognized for the contribution of their energy and talent, and you will be interested to know who it is that really gets our work accomplished. Most people will find it interesting to learn just how active this remarkable organization is.</p><p>Nicola Barksdale with First Citizens Bank has led our small business committee to offer seminars, events, and recognition to help small businesses stay affluent with the knowledge and resources needed to remain competitive, and improve their bottom lines. </p><p>Laura Misner with the College Foundation of North Carolina and Graham Fields with Park Ridge Health have led our many workforce development efforts by working hand-in-hand with local educators and businesses to help prepare our future work force. </p><p>Paul Morse with GE has remained a staunch friend to our chamber and served as the liaison of our industrial division to help us understand and meet the needs of our local industrial and manufacturing businesses. </p><p>Bill Fishburne of the Hendersonville Board of Realtors has worked with us closely and kept us informed on the progress and factors influencing our critical real estate market. </p><p>Don Holder with Four Seasons Financial Services serves as our liaison to the Hendersonville Merchants and Business Association. Don also continues to diligently coordinate one of our signature events to bring us together with local leadership and keep us informed on local issues and successes through Business Morning Update.</p><p>Paul Parker with Carolina Information Technology Resource Corporation has been unselfish with his time and talents to insure smooth coordination of our meaningful signature networking event Business After Hours. While the name of the event should suffice to explain its purpose, I'll add that it serves to be paramount to bring together numerous businesses, leaders, and organizations. It is always viewed with high anticipation and a time when productive discussions take place. </p><p>Jim Rasmussen of Morrow Insurance Agency has led the formation of our community development task force through which they are helping create our local "brand" and market "Why Henderson County?" to potential businesses and residents. </p><p>Steve Dozier of Beverly-Hanks & Associates and Jim Ayers of NewPointe Builders have worked to improve the relationships between local businesses and government leaders to collaboratively design policy to best meet the needs of our community. </p><p>Dr. Molly Parkhill, while serving as chair elect, has eloquently begun to lead us towards the development of a long-range strategy to meet the future needs of our business community. This began by conducting focus groups with all of the various types of chamber members. The collected data was then shared with the board at a recent meeting where the formation of specific actions has begun in order to align with the long-range vision.</p><p>All of this work could not be accomplished without strong membership and economic resources. Among the many individuals to help ensure what I have long considered the "economic engine" of the chamber are Tiffany Ervin of Elite Repeats Boutique and Garry Sherrill with Cummings Cove Golf and Country Club who again successfully led our Total Resource Campaign to secure sponsorships from generous donors for numerous annual activities. </p><p>Vince Rees of Mountain 1st Bank & Trust and Michael Thompson of The Van Winkle Law Firm led us to a successful finale of our two-year effort to fund the debt of the modern iconic chamber office now located at the visible corner of Church Street and Kanuga Road. Vince, Michael, and many concerned contributors worked diligently to create and fund an office of which our community can be proud. </p><p>Dave Modaff of Friday Staffing has led our efforts to merchandise the many benefits of being a chamber member in order to attract and maintain a strong level of membership. Staying on track financially has come through the tireless efforts of our Treasurer Fair Waggoner of United Community Bank. Fair has shared her energy and knowledge for two consecutive years. Her positive and energetic spirit has led us through some challenging times, as well as significant accounting, procedural, and systems changes.</p><p>Lastly, anchoring every spindle of this hub of activity has been our President Bob Williford and Mitsy Jones, our communications coordinator. If you could only witness first-hand as I have the pleasure, the incredible volume of work they perform for the betterment of and service to our community you too would be awestruck. We are so fortunate to have their support and they have made for me so simple, the otherwise complex job of chairman of the Henderson County Chamber of Commerce.</p><p>It is has been my pleasure to serve alongside these remarkable people, and the many others I have failed to mention specifically. As the beneficiary of their efforts and resources, our community continues to become stronger, and an even better place to live. Thank you all.</p>